hmm to be fair, Bancroft is only 5 tests into his career, needs to be given a long run, as let's be honest, thete's not too many alternatives around...fan of Renshaw, but he is in miserable form.... Marsh isn't a long term solution, How far off the radar has Joe Burns gone?

Looking at that list, Maxwell can consider himself unlucky. He was told to go away and make a big score. He did. Can't help but think there is another reason he has been left out. Victorian, seems like could be another Brad Hodge situation.

Looking at that list, Maxwell can consider himself unlucky. He was told to go away and make a big score. He did. Can't help but think there is another reason he has been left out. Victorian, seems like could be another Brad Hodge situation.

Renshaw and Wade are a long way down that list of runs scored.

I seem to remember Smith making some not too subtle comments that Maxwell needs to sort out his approach to training if he wants to be considered?

"It was my opinion it is up to me if I want to justify it or not" - Bhaveshgor

You have to assume that Australia will be aiming to play the power foursome of Hazlewood, Cummins, Starc and Lyon for all four tests, so any other bowlers are only there as injury cover.

Only one back-up batsman but two backup quicks. And Handscomb as the backup batsman. Odd indeed given Bancroft's struggles, Khawaja's overseas form, Handscomb being dropped for the Ashes, etc. Maxwell could hardly have done more at domestic level to earn his recall on form, so it must be to do with his apparent 'tude.

Between that bowling line up, and Rabada, Philander, Morkel and Ngidi, one has to expect a bowler dominated series...

andy wrote:stunned that Jyhe Richardson has been called up into the test squad..

I'm not. Thought he showed a lot of promise with the the white ball the other day : just the sort of young fast bowler the Aussies like to take a bit of a chance with...sometimes pays off.A few of the more obvious candidates being injured , and I don't think they fancied just having two medium pacers in Bird and Sayers as reserve,They'll still be hoping the big three stay healthy though...

Batting reserves light but again with virtually no cricket outside the Tests they are essentially committed to the original XI unless someone gets injured or hopelessly out of touch. And it's clear Smith just doesn't rate Maxwell.

bigfluffylemon wrote: Maxwell could hardly have done more at domestic level to earn his recall on form, so it must be to do with his apparent 'tude.

he always strikes me as being a player who is happy to coast along in cricket matches, until he loses his place, or his place is questioned... then he turns on the afterburners. Be sure your sin will find you out.... eventually the selectors will cotton on to this. Perhaps they finally have done

Chaddd Sayers yet again comes in to replace an injured bowler, this time Jackson Bird, presumably with little chance of playing. He must have quite a collection of fluorescent bibs by now. Maybe he was presented with one on the outfield when first called up by someone like Martin Love or Brad Hodge or Matt Nicholson.